An experimental sacrificial cathodic protection system comprised of zinc sheet anodes with an ion conductive gel adhesive was installed to protect an electrically isolated reinforcing steel sub-system in a bridge substructure located in an extremely corrosive environment in the Florida Keys. The system provides cathodic protection current to approximately 0.8 square meters (8.9 square feet) of No. 4 epoxy coated rebar fabricated in a serpentine shape to provide added reinforcement in a load transfer area of the piers. The experimental system was installed at five locations exhibiting various levels of corrosion activity, Because of the critical function of the piers, it was extremely important to provide a system which would effectively control the progression of corrosion on the reinforcing steel. The performance monitoring included open circuit potential measurements and two polarization decay tests performed at 98 and 132 days of service. Both tests indicated a polarization of the steel above 100 mV therefore meeting established cathodic protection criterial.
Keywords: Corrosion, Anode, Concrete Cathodic Protection, Acrylate, Polarization, Epoxy Coated Rebar, Hydrogel, Ion Conductive Adhesive